Charlton 2 (Lavelle (45), (Payne 90+2) Brighton u-21 1 (Miller 54).
A tiny, storm-tossed gathering -more quorum than crowd – braved treacherous elements to watch Charlton progress to the next stages of the Papa John Trophy after further added time drama. It was impossible, of course, to reach the same delirious heights of last Saturday but precisely 609 soggy patrons made their way home happy with what they’d seen. Exactly what the 53 Seagulls in the Jimmy Seed Stand made of it is unknown but at least the conditions were more familiar to them.
We were two minutes into the four added to this lively clash when indefatigable Jack Payne smashed home the winner and delivered us from a penalty shoot-out. It turned out that under the complicated rules of this ersatz competition only victory, or in the event of a draw, success in a spotkick showdown would be enough to send the Addicks through. And even then, only in second place, which guaranteed an away tie in the next round. Brighton were already eliminated. Try to keep up -it’s really perfectly clear.
Anyway, no doubt first team coach Anthony Hayes was turning his attention to the order of his penalty takers when Conor McGrandles picked up possession in Brighton’s half and exchanged passes with substitute Albie Morgan. His heads-up ball out to Payne on the right was taken in stride by the skipper, who stepped inside on to his favoured left foot and hammered an unstoppable drive inside the near post. Ex-Addick James Beadle managed a touch but was beaten by the sheer velocity of the strike.
McGrandles hadn’t stood out during normal time but occasional flashes of quality suggested there’s more to him than meets the untrained eye. He certainly doesn’t deserve the abuse he receives on the various chatlines, often from anonymous snipers unfit to lace his boots. Cut the bloke some slack – he might surprise us.
As the weather deteriorated, Charlton’s record low attendance for a first team match were compensated by an entertaining encounter, with chances at both ends. The first of them fell to Aaron Henry, whose free kick flashed inches wide, with Beadle scrambling hopefully across his goal. The young keeper then saved smartly from Jake Forster-Caskey before his scuffed clearance gave Henry clear sight of goal from over 40 yards. The midfielder’s instant return was heading into the bottom right corner before Beadle, hustling back with all the desperate urgency of Wily Coyote, scraped it off the line.
Neat and constructive, the well coached visitors had moments of their own, with Jack Hinshelwood setting up Cam Peupion to force an alert save from Craig McGillivray. The tricky Peupion was then unlucky to see his goalbound drive unwittingly deflected over the bar with McGillivray left standing. It was shaping up to be all square at the break when the Addicks scored.
A last gasp right wing corner brought the breakthrough, with Forster-Caskey’s wicked inswinger glanced neatly past Beadle by Sam Lavelle. While injuries and suspension bite into Ben Garner’s central defence options, Lavelle will feature importantly in Charlton’s upcoming commitments; he was partnered here by 18 year-old debutant Zach Mitchell, who acquitted himself well. But the most encouraging contribution was made by young Richard Chin, outstanding up and down the left flank. The kids are alright at The Valley, with Daniel Kanu and Tyreece Campbell both nagging handfuls for the youthful Seagulls.
The second half, contested in driving rain, started with Brighton in complete control. Peupion came within straining inches of reaching Luca Barrington’s teasing cross before the South Coasters deservedly equalised. It was the irrepressible Peupion whose spadework created the chance which Todd Miller flicked wide of McGillvray. Well on top now, Albion should have forged ahead but Antef Tsoungui clipped a post when converting Samy Chouchane’s perfect cross seemed an easier option.
With nothing but pride to play for, Brighton’s youngsters showed their professional pedigree but succumbed to Payne’s late strike. So Hayes takes his survivors into the next round, with the Papa John dream still alive. It’s Coalville Town next Saturday in the world’s oldest cup competition, then a midweek trip to Stevenage in the Carabao Cup. It’s to be hoped that Charlton take their responsibilities seriously, something the sodden Addicks who represented the club on Tuesday clearly did. On three fronts, Wembley is still in their sights.
Charlton: McGillivray. Clare, Lavelle, Mitchell (Thomas 65), Chin, Forster-Caskey, McGrandles, Payne, Henry (Morgan 64), Kanu, Campbell (Rylah 81). Not used: Kone, Dench, Anderson, Casey. Booked: Chin.
Brighton: Beadle, Ferguson (Nilsson 46), Spong. Tsoungui, Furlong, Packham (Ifill 65), Peupion, Miller, Samuels (Baker-Boaitey 78), Barrington (Chouchane 65), Hinshelwood. Not used: Cahill, Wilson, Everitt. Booked: Hinshelwood.
Referee: Paul Howard. Att: 662 (53 visiting).